“Whether the old guard likes it or not, the global order is shifting—and Trump’s imprint is undeniable,” says Bepi Pezzulli.
As world leaders gathered for the Munich Security Conference over the weekend (Fri, 14 Feb 2025 – Sun, 16 Feb 2025) to address rising global tensions, one figure cast a long shadow over the discussions—Donald Trump.
However, despite his absence, Trump continued to reshape global dynamics.
From asserting U.S. dominance in strategic regions like the Arctic and Panama to challenging global institutions and redefining diplomacy in conflicts such as Gaza, Trump’s imprint on the world stage remains undeniable.
His actions, often dismissed as brash or controversial, are driving a realignment of power that the international community can no longer overlook. Trump’s strategic moves continue to shape global affairs.
In an exclusive insight, Bepi Pezzulli explores how Trump’s policies, grounded in pragmatism and national interest, have forced the global order to confront uncomfortable realities and adapt to a new era of geopolitical competition.
Friday 14 February 2025: As the Munich Security Conference kicks off, world leaders gather to discuss the fractures in global stability. Yet, one name looms large over the proceedings despite his absence: Donald Trump. The U.S. President, chastised by Europe and the global left for his disruptive approach to international politics, is nonetheless seeing his ideas gain traction on the world stage. Whether through strategic acquisitions, economic pressure, or a blunt rejection of multilateral institutions, Trump’s vision is fundamentally reshaping the global agenda.
Greenland: A Strategic Vision
Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. should acquire Greenland is being questioned in the name of abstract idealistic principles. Yet, the notion is not without precedent. The U.S. attempted to purchase the island in 1946, recognising its immense strategic value. Today, as global powers jostle for influence in the Arctic, Trump’s vision appears prescient. Greenland’s vast reserves of rare earth minerals and its pivotal location in U.S. defence strategy make it an asset of increasing importance. Washington’s renewed interest has also emboldened Greenland’s pro-independence movement, accelerating a geopolitical shift that may yet see America strengthen its hold in the Arctic region.
Panama: Securing U.S. Interests in the Canal
The Panama Canal remains one of the world’s most critical trade routes, yet China’s growing economic influence in Panama raised alarms in Washington. After Trump signaled his intent to curb Beijing’s encroachment even by taking back the Canal, Panama withdrew from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and has taken steps to revoke Chinese concessions over key port operations. The result? A reaffirmation of U.S. strategic dominance in Central America and a rollback of China’s expansionist ambitions.
Canada: Shaking Up the Status Quo
Trump’s economic pressure on Canada, including tariffs on steel and aluminum, exposed its reliance on the U.S. for trade and security. His relentless criticism of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—particularly over weak border policies and trade imbalances—is reshaping Canada’s political landscape. Trudeau resigned and is leading the country on an interim basis. At the general election in October, Pierre Poilievre’s Conservative party is poised for a landslide win. Trump’s approach demonstrated that economic leverage, not diplomatic niceties, yields results.
Gaza: Breaking the Stalemate
Trump has long argued that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires unconventional solutions. Historical proposals to resettle Palestinians in neighboring Arab nations have been ignored for decades, yet he brought these discussions back to the table. With Israel’s growing regional ties and Arab states increasingly prioritising stability over Palestinian grievances, Trump’s approach has shifted the debate toward practical solutions rather than endless rhetoric.
Historically, there have been several resettlement proposals. In the 1950s, the U.S. and UNRWA promoted plans to integrate Palestinian refugees into host countries such as Jordan and Syria, but Arab leaders resisted, preferring to use the Palestinian issue as a political bargaining tool. In 1953, the Eisenhower administration proposed the Johnston Plan to develop the Jordan River basin, which included provisions for Palestinian resettlement. Though technically approved by Israeli and Arab experts, it was rejected politically. Even as late as 2008, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi questioned the necessity of a Palestinian state, arguing that the refugee problem was being exploited rather than resolved. These precedents highlight how Trump’s approach, while controversial, aligns with past attempts to resolve the conflict through pragmatic regional cooperation.
Defying Global Institutions
Trump’s willingness to challenge the legitimacy of international organisations is becoming a hallmark of his presidency. Trump has now cut ties with the World Health Organization over its mishandling of COVID-19 and imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court for targeting U.S. and Israeli officials. These moves underscore a broader strategy: rejecting multilateral bodies that fail to serve American interests and instead prioritising direct, transactional diplomacy.
Towards A New Global Order
As world leaders convene in Munich to discuss the evolving security landscape, they do so against a backdrop shaped by Trump’s policies. His ability to force issues that the political establishment would rather ignore—whether it’s Greenland’s strategic importance, China’s infiltration of critical infrastructure, or the failures of global institutions—demonstrates a level of strategic foresight that his detractors fail to acknowledge.
The globalist order may resist Trump’s ideas at first, but reality has a way of catching up.
The Munich Security Conference may posture about global cooperation, but Trump’s vision is already driving the realignment of power. Whether the old guard likes it or not, the global order is shifting—and Trump’s imprint is undeniable.
Bepi Pezzulli is a Solicitor specialised in Governance & Leadership, on the advisory board of the Great British PAC, and a Political Director of Italia Atlantica. Follow Bepi on X here.
